Newsletter

Many responding to Burke dog discovery

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office has received many calls from people concerned over the discovery that 19 dogs were found shot and dumped on the side of a Midville road.

“I had one lady call from Columbia County yesterday afternoon who wanted to donate,” said Jesse Burke, the county’s public works director, whose workers discovered the dogs Monday along Old Wadley Road.

Another woman from Smyrna in suburban Atlanta heard the news on Facebook and called up to make a donation to the reward fund.

Burke donated the starting $200 to the fund after he saw the puppies without their eyes open, grown pregnant dogs and one male dog tossed to the side of the road. Public Works employees later buried the animals.

Burke County sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Hollingsworth said he is still working through a stack of messages all from those wanted to help in bringing the person responsible to justice. The reward amount has increased, but Hollingsworth does not have a set amount yet.

So far no one has come forward with information leading to the person who might be responsible.

The person responsible will be facing charges of cruelty to animals. Hollingsworth said he will also be discussing the issue with the district attorney’s office and the Department of Natural Resources to see what other charges could apply to the case.

The breed of the animals has not been determined.

Anyone with information about the dogs should contact the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, 706-554-2133.